The XM2010: Evaluating U.S. Army’s M24 Overhaul

By Tom Beckstrand

There’s been a lot of huff and blow about the suitability of the 7.62x51mm cartridge as the military’s primary sniping round. The argument goes something like this: Given the open terrain our troops are working in, the 7.62 doesn’t have the external ballistics required for the engagement ranges currently found in the modern battle arena. While some traditionalists might argue with that statement, I agree wholeheartedly. It’s 2011, and we have better stuff to give our snipers. So why don’t we? It seems that some parts of the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy agree, as witnessed by the recent fielding of the MK 13.

Any serious military weapons guy will know by looking at the designation “MK 13” that it is a U.S. Navy designation, and he’d be right. The MK 13 has its roots in the Navy’s weapons R&D program and has seen use by Special Operations wearing both Army and Navy uniforms. Earlier this year, it was even looked at by some regular Army types to assess its suitability for fielding by the Big Army. The jury is still out on that one.